.50-70 Government. 36.5" barrel secured by three solid rounded spring-retained bands. Bright finish, steel furniture, walnut stock. Single shot breechloading "Trapdoor" alteration of a Civil War Model 1864 Rifle Musket. Lock marked U.S./SPRINGFIELD and with a {Spread-Winged Eagle} forward of the hammer and dated 1865 horizontally at the tail. Top of breech block marked with an {Eagle Head} and 1866. Right side of barrel stamped below the breech block F 3D I, indicating Company F 3rd Infantry. Counterpane with a clear script HSH cartouche, the mark of Springfield Arsenal sub-inspector Henry S. Hill. Rifle retains the correct 1866 pattern rear sight, musket combination front sight and socket bayonet lug, and sling swivels on the triggerguard bow and middle band. This gun is from the Collection of Charles Worman, co-author of the two volume set Firearms of the American West.

The 3rd US Infantry, known as the "Old Guard" is one of the oldest US Infantry Regiments, having been established on June 3, 1784 and remaining in service through November of 1946 when it was briefly deactivated until April of 1948. The regiment remains in service to this day. Today the regiment provides the honor guard for ceremonial burials at Arlington National Cemetery, Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers ceremonies, Dignified Transfers at Dover Air Force Base as well as a number of other specialty services. During the Indian War period the regiment was stationed in Kansas, Colorado and Indian Territory from 1866 to 1874, spent time in the deep south of Mississippi and Louisiana from 1874 to 1877 and in 1877 was sent to the plains, where it served in Montana, Minnesota and South Dakota until the Spanish American War. During their time in Kansas and surrounding ares from 1866 to 1874 the regiment was involved in a number of skirmishes and actions with hostile Native Americans. These included at least three conflicts around Big Timbers, KA in 1867 as was as actions at Goose Creek, CO and Pawnee Fork Bluff, KS. 1868 saw more fighting for the regiment at Little Coon Creek, Sand Hills, Big Bend and Fort Zara in Kansas, time at both Fort Dodge and Fort Larned and a fight at Crow Creek, KS. A very nice 1866 Rifle, far better than most encountered and marked to one of the most storied regiments in the US Army.